Major dams nationwide can meet current demands

Only Seremban's Gemencheh dam is at a critical level necessitating scheduled water rationing for the short term.

KUALA LUMPUR: Water levels at the main dams nationwide are still sufficient to meet the current demand despite the hot and dry weather now.

In SELANGOR, eight dams in the state were reported to be at a consistent level. According to the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) in its website, as at 8am the water level in Tasik Subang dam was at 97.61% while Langat was at 95.09%.

Six other dams that recorded above the minimum level were Semenyih dam (95%), Batu (89.07%), Klang Gates (87.24%), Sungai Selangor (75.56&), Sungai Labu Reservoir (74.44%) and Sungai Tinggi (69.50%).

In MALACCA, Chief Minister Idris Haron said as for now, the state had adequate water supply for the public even though there was a slight decline in water levels in the state.

He said all the dams in Malacca were still at a safe level with the Jus dam at 55%, Durian Tunggal 70% and Asahan 90%. If there was no rain and the dry weather continued, water supply was expected to last until early next month (April), Idris said.

In KOTA BARU, the Kelantan Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) Director Shahimi Sharif said water levels at the catchment areas in Tasik Bukit Kwong, Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas was still at the normal level, above 15 metres.

Meanwhile, Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB) Director Hanafi Mahmud said AKSB had begun to place a pump directly into the river to extract water and release it to the Kelar plant, Pasir Mas, as the water level was beginning to recede a few days ago.

In SEREMBAN, the water level in Gemencheh dam was now at a critical level, the water level dropped to 93.85 metres. Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan said Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan Sdn Bhd (SAINS) had made a short term plan at the end of last year which was to impose scheduled water rationing to residents around Tampin and Rembau to overcome the water crisis.

According to statistics released by SAINS, the water levels in most dams in the state exceeded the critical level. Sungai Terip dam recorded 100.98 metres, Kelinchi 201.68 metres, Talang (Ulu Muar) 145.65 metres, Sungai Beiringin 135 metres, Ulu Sepri 135 metres and Teriang 182.15 metres.

In ALOR SETAR, the water level in the three major dams supplying water for domestic use in Kedah were at normal levels, although, the hot and dry weather hit the nation since last December and is expected to continue until end of this month.

The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) in a statement to Bernama said the water level in Pedu dam was now 95.25 metres, Muda dam 99.04 metres and Ahning dam was 108.90 metres. Meanwhile, Kedah state Local Government, Water Supply, Water Resources and Energy, Housing and Human Development Committee chairman, Datuk Badrol Hisham Hashim said the people should use water prudently although the state had sufficient water supply for the next five months.

Badrol Hisham said the state government did not intend to impose water rationing as it had adequate water supply.

- BERNAMA